Multilayer ceramic dielectric capacitors

Abstract

A multilayer ceramic dielectric capacitor comprises a plurality of layers of dielectric arranged in a stack. Between the dielectric layers are arranged metallic electrodes. Alternate electrodes in the stack extend to opposite end faces thereof, where they are electrically connected by end terminations. The electrodes each comprise a plurality of parallel conductive elements provided between two adjacent dielectric layers. The adjacent dielectric layers are bonded together along three of their edges and at the gaps between the conductive elements, thus providing a stronger structure than when the adjacent layers are only bonded at the three of their edges. The electrode pattern comprised by a plurality of parallel elements is particularly applicable to metal-impregnated ceramic dielectric capacitors, which employ fugitive electrodes that are burnt away during firing of the ceramic to leave spaces for subsequent metal impregnation.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of manufacturing a multilayer ceramic capacitor comprising the steps of: producing a plurality of sheets of an unfired dielectric material;   forming a pattern of spaced parallel strips of a fugitive electrode material which becomes flowable at a predetermined temperature on at least some of the sheets, said strips extending to a common edge;   stacking said sheets such that said pattern is confined between two adjacent sheets and alternate fugitive electrode material extends to opposite end faces of the stack;   firing the stack at said predetermined temperature to bond said sheets together at areas devoid of said fugitive electrode material and to cause said fugitive electrode material to escape from said sheets establishing voids at such locations; and   impregnating said voids with lead to obtain electrodes.   
     
     
       2. The method as claimed in claim 1, further including the step of providing end terminations on the opposite end faces of the stack. 
     
     
       3. A multilayer ceramic capacitor comprising a stack of layers of ceramic material and an electrode provided between at least two adjacent layers, said electrode being of lead and arranged in a pattern of spaced parallel strips which extend to a common edge of said layers, said layers being bonded together at least at the locations devoid of said electrode. 
     
     
       4. A method of manufacturing a multilayer ceramic capacitor comprising the steps of: producing a plurality of sheets of an unfired dielectric material;   forming a pattern of spaced parallel strips of a fugitive electrode material which becomes flowable at a predetermined temperature on at least some of the sheets;   stacking said sheets such that said pattern is confined between two adjacent sheets;   firing the stack at said predetermined temperature to bond said sheets together at areas devoid of said fugitive electrode material and to cause said fugitive electrode material to escape from said sheets establishing voids at such locations; and   impregnating said voids with a metal to obtain electrodes.   
     
     
       5. A multilayer ceramic capacitor comprising a stack of layers of ceramic material and an electrode provided between at least two adjacent layers, said electrode being of a conductive material and being arranged in a pattern of spaced parallel strips, said layers being bonded together at least at the locations devoid of said electrode. 
     
     
       6. A multilayer ceramic capacitor comprising a stack of layers of ceramic formed from unfired ceramic material, and an electrode provided between at least two adjacent layers and being arranged in a pattern of spaced parallel strips, said electrode being constituted by a conductive material impregnated in voids which were formed between the layers when a fugitive electrode material escaped from between the layers at a temperature approaching that of the firing temperature of the ceramic, said adjacent layers being bonded together at locations adjacent said electrode.